Heading into the 2024-25 academic year, College Possible Omaha has a lot to look forward to. With two new school partnerships on the horizon, we are eager to see what this next year holds. We are also excited to welcome a strong group of dedicated coaches, ready to support students in our program. This year, we will continue hosting our signature events, including the Mission Possible Career Panels and College Experience Panels, which provide valuable insights and opportunities for our students as they prepare for their futures.
New partnerships
This year, College Possible Omaha has formed two new school partnerships, expanding our reach to include students at Westview High School and the College of Saint Mary.
We currently partner with nine high schools across the Omaha metro area, and we’re excited to announce that our college access high school partnership will expand to Westview High School for the 2024-25 school year and beyond.
Located in Bennington, NE, Westview High School is a relatively new addition to the Omaha Public Schools district. With this partnership, we’re now serving students at five out of nine schools within the district. Our goal is to provide students with enhanced support and resources, fostering both academic and personal growth, in alignment with our mission to make college success possible for all students, regardless of their circumstances.
Aminatu Issaka, senior director of college access at College Possible Omaha, shares, “When I think of College Possible, what comes to mind are students, college access, college success, programming curriculum, college degree, graduation, and educational equity. Knowing that several crucial components encompass College Possible as an organization, there’s one major component that deserves to shine: partner relationships.”
“We’ve found that our high school partnerships continue to successfully support students’ academic and professional outcomes, college and career readiness, access to real-world learning, social and emotional development, overall engagement, and graduation rates,” Issaka continues. “With that being said, College Possible Omaha deeply values and appreciates these partnerships and looks forward to continued success during the 2024-25 academic year and beyond.”
College of Saint Mary (CSM) has long been committed to providing academic excellence and affordable tuition, making it an ideal partner for College Possible Omaha. Many of the high school students we serve want or need to stay close to home but prefer a smaller campus. CSM offers an engaging residential experience without the challenges of larger class sizes or navigating a large campus.
Emily Wilber, director of college success at College Possible Omaha, explains, “Many students we serve may not have CSM on their radar or may think it’s not affordable. With the help of a College Possible coach, students can learn more about what CSM offers in terms of academics, scholarships, activities, sports, and other types of involvement – all while staying in the metro.”
Over the summer, CSM and College Possible Omaha collaborated to host FAFSA completion workshops and are planning additional workshops as the semester progresses. “We look forward to introducing CSM to our high school partners and having a presence on campus as our newest college partner,” Wilber adds.
Plans for the year
As in previous years, College Possible Omaha will host Mission Possible Career Panels at our nine partner high schools throughout the fall semester. These panels will feature three to five young professionals from various industries who will share insights on their educational backgrounds, career journeys, and daily responsibilities. These sessions aim to inspire and inform students about potential career paths and the steps needed to achieve their goals.
In the spring semester, we will continue with the College Experience Panels, inviting current college students to share their experiences with high school students interested in pursuing higher education. These panels offer valuable insights into college life, helping students make informed decisions about their futures.
Admissions representatives from our partner institutions will be present at all panels to provide students with information on programs, affordability, class sizes, career opportunities, and more.
While we are still confirming dates, those interested in participating as a panelist in our Mission Possible Career Panels can contact Jaynaeh Gillaspie at jgillaspie@collegepossible.org.
With these exciting developments and comprehensive plans for the year, College Possible Omaha is poised to make a significant impact on the students we serve. We look forward to another successful academic year filled with growth, learning, and achievement.
